Needing some advice.

[adjani_gordon]

Hey everyone,

Well, I would like to get a Leopard Gecko/s. It will be my first and I have quite a few questions that I would like to ask. I have read a lot of different site and to tell you the truth some contradict each other. So I have decided to ask you guys, for some advice.

1.   I would like to know if it is ok form me to start off with a 150 liters / 40 gal glass tank (length 100cm x height 30cm x width 50cm) or is this to large? I was wanting to put in 2-3 female Leo’s in there. So, I am not to sure if the tank is ok for so many or too large? And for them to live together? (I read it is ok for you to have females living together rather than having males live together.) Please correct me if I am wrong.

2.   One site said that I only need to feed them every 2-3 days, another site said that I must feed them everyday. So I am a little confused which one is right? I know that I must feed them mealworm and crickets for their appropriate size. Again some sites say all they can eat in 10min, 15min and 20min; I don’t want to over feed my Leo’s so which one is better to go by? I was wondering if it is ok for me to feed the jelly that you give the beetles, to the crickets? or is this not a good idea for gut loading since some are high in protein and amino acids. I have not read any where about feeding them fruit or veggies. Is this a forbidden thing to do? Also I have read about them getting impaction (I will be using repti sand as my substrate). So, can I feed them in a separate feeding tub or will this not help and stress them out too much?

3.   I’m living in Taiwan and the humidity is VERY high here. About 75-90 in summer which lasts about 8-9 months. Will this affect them and is it necessary to have a humid hide? Another thing is that the temp in summer is 30-34 degrees (86-93F) in the day and 27-32 degrees (80-89 F) at night. Which I think might be a problem because I’ve read their ambient tank temp is 31-33 degrees (88-92) in the day and 17.7 degrees (64 F) at night (also is this true for the night, it sounds a little low). I can’t get it that low for the night time. So I don’t know what I should do? Another thing is, is it necessary for me to have an under-tank heater with a red light bulb?

I am sorry that I am asking these questions, but I am very unsure about them and only want the best for my new, hopefully soon, family members.

I do have some experience with heating tanks; I bought my boyfriend a ball python about a year ago. And it has taught me a lot of things that would help with setting up this tank, I do know that they are very different reptiles though.

Thanks in advance for your patience to new comers.

AJ

[Kazzy]

1) As long as the females get along (keep a close eye on them, I have some aggressive girls that can't be housed together) and as long as they are at least juvies, you'll be fine with that tank. Babies would be overwhelmed by the size most likely. Make sure to have plenty of hides (humid, dry...a good bit of both) so they will have a way to get away from the others.

2) DON'T USE SAND!! Leopard geckos are VERY prone to impaction if everything isn't PERFECT. And even if you fed them outside of the enclosure (which they will most likely not eat outside of the enclosure, from my experience) they will lick the sand. Plus, that stuff harbors so much icky bacteria. Use a non-particle substrate like paper towels, or ceramic tiles. For feeding, if adults they only need to eat every 2-3 days, as much as they will eat. Babies need to be fed daily. I always keep a container with meal worms in my enclosures for adults and babies, so they always have access to food.

3) Just keep a good amount of ventilation, and a light would be great to suck the humidity out of the tank. They use belly heat way more than heat from above, so a heat pad would be a good idea to have on one part of the tank.

If you have any questions let me know!

[adjani_gordon]

Thank you so very much. I really appreciate you taking time to answer my questions.

I have a few more questions that I would like to ask. If, you don?t mind.

Do you think it would be better for me so start off with adults or juveniles?

Can I, as their owner still become close to adults or will it better for me to get a juvenile so they know me from a young age? And do you recommend me starting off with two or one?

Another thing is that I really would like to use repti-sand as my substrate (I think is looks more like their natural environment. What are the chances of them getting impaction? and is there another supstrate that i can use that looks more like their natural enviroment (like bigger pebbles not able to be eaten).


Oh yes, another thing is that; do you have more problems with some morphs than other and if so which ones should I stay away from as a beginner?

Thanks again

[Kazzy]

Well, if the gecko is in a 40 gal, then get an adult. A baby would freak out in that size of an enclosure. I'd start with one at first, then slowly get more. You can connect with an adult, I have, but it is easier to connect with a younger one. If you use sand, do something like this:
http://easttnherps.com/yak/index.php?topic=5.0
And don't use repti-sand. Use washed and sifted play sand.

Unless you can pay for the higher end Enigmas, don't buy one. The lower end ones have major problems. The spin around and such, which can make it difficult to get them to eat.